Sustainable aquaculture: National quality system specifications updated

New rules for the aquaculture sector come from the Official Journal of May 19, 2026.
With the decree of 11 May 2026 , the Ministry of Agriculture intervenes on the production specifications of the National Livestock Quality System (SQNZ) – “ Sustainable Aquaculture” .

Objective: more advanced standards and greater transparency

The regulatory intervention aims to strengthen the framework for the sector, with the objective of:

• adapt the rules to more up-to-date environmental sustainability standards
• improve production traceability
• ensure a higher level of transparency towards the consumer
• harmonize national provisions with regulatory developments and European best practices

The SQNZ system , in fact, represents a strategic tool for distinguishing products obtained in compliance with certified and controlled criteria on the market.

The decree therefore aims to:

• strengthen the credibility of the SQNZ brand
• respond to a growing demand for sustainable seafood products
• help Italian companies better position themselves on the markets.

What changes with the decree on "Sustainable Aquaculture"

The decree of 11 May 2026 does not introduce a new system, but rather specifically updates the existing specifications of the National Livestock Quality System (SQNZ) for aquaculture.
The innovations are therefore technical and operational, but relevant for operators.

1. Review of sustainability requirements

The first intervention concerns environmental criteria:

• the breeding conditions of aquatic species are updated
• greater attention to:
  • use of water resources
  • wastewater management
  • impact on the surrounding ecosystem

In practice: the bar is being raised on what is considered “sustainable”, making the standards required to obtain or maintain certification more stringent.

2. New rules on animal nutrition and welfare

The updated specification also addresses:

• quality and origin of feed
• administration method
• growth conditions and density in farms

Objective: to guarantee not only environmental sustainability but also animal welfare , an increasingly central theme in quality certifications.

3. Strengthening traceability

One of the most important innovations is the strengthening of documentary requirements:

• greater detail in supply chain traceability
• more timely registrations on:
  • origin of the species
  • breeding cycles
  • treatments performed

Result: greater transparency towards the market and consumers.

4. More rigorous controls and certifications

The decree also indirectly updates the control system:

• more structured checks to obtain or maintain the SQNZ mark
• alignment of criteria with European standards and best practices

For businesses, this means the need for more formalized internal procedures.

5. Mandatory adjustment for those already certified

It's not just about new registrations: already certified companies must adapt to the new specifications.